My letter from Lil' Miss Thang :: OM [one moment] meetup

This week, I received an incredibly sweet letter from my little neighbor in Rhode Island. When we moved into our home there, she was just a baby. We spent 7 years as neighbors and I watched her grow into a lovely young girl of almost 8. It was hard saying goodbye.

Lil' Miss Thang,' as I've been known to call her affectionately, wrote that she missed me. I cannot tell you how much that makes my heart smile.  I miss her, too. We shared a lot in common.  She and I were surrounded by boys: her 2 older brothers, my 2 sons. We would laugh at the boys and talk art. I would make her accessories that she would proudly wear. I appreciated seeing her smile and wave every morning as we all started our days heading in different directions.

She included a drawing of me in the letter. It's hanging on my inspiration board in my studio.I had planned to write a friend for this month's Project Letter Writing. Now I look forward to adding Lil' Miss Thang to my list. I'll include photos and maybe an easy origami project.

There is nothing like getting a letter from a child. They are filled with so much joy, sincerity, and innocence.  Project Letter Writing and my OM [one moment] serendipitously collided this week. January could not have started off better.  Thanks, Lil' Miss Thang!
What was your moment this week?

A letter from my neighbor - OM [one moment] meet up #46

I've been able to hold it together this week although I still feel as if I'm on the verge of tears at all times.  The stress of selling our house and all that is involved in moving (I'm sure you are tired of hearing about it) is ever present.  I'm coasting through each day in a haze.

My back is officially on the outs.  It's my body's way of showing who's boss.  By doctors' orders, I'm banned from the gym and must "take it easy."  I wish someone could tell me how it is possible to "take it easy" when you have two active kids, a dog, and a husband (who works too many hours) and have to keep the house spotless at all times (for strangers and realtors to come through).

Not quite sure what is going on w/my back other than I have chronic pain and spasms.  Most certainly disk related, but there is nothing I can do but manage the pain and "take it easy."  I'm doing that to the best of my ability.

Back to keeping things together emotionally...

All was going well until I get a handwritten letter in the mail from my dear neighbor.  She is in her mid to late '80s, newly widowed, and the sweetest person you can meet.  Her letter basically said how nice it was to have us as her backyard neighbors.  She knew our move was coming but it wasn't real to her until she saw the "for sale" sign in our yard.

That did it.  Streams of tears and buckets of emotion came pouring out.

She goes on to write how she loved watching the kids grow up, that her late husband loved having the back door opened to hear the kids playing, and how our backyard parties and neighborhood get togethers were such happy gatherings.

Are you welling up yet?!

She remembered and listed many of the goodies we shared with her:  C's key lime pie and my French/Vietnamese sandwiches.

She even mentioned the most recent addition to our family - Sophie.

Flood gates are open.
I may never stop crying.

This was the kindest, most heart-felt letter I've ever received.  It even made C well up.  To have someone take the time to hand write this detailed letter and to have thought of us so affectionately is incredible.  I am deeply humbled...

...and now, officially, a basket case.
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OM is a weekly meet up that promotes living in the moment.  Whether funny, sad, ridiculous, or banal, actively looking for and sharing these moments will promote balance in our lives.

Share in the blog comments here, on your own blog (and link back below)  or on my Facebook fan page. If you are on Twitter,  use hash tag - #omMeetup so we can converse if we'd like. We'd love to hear your moment this week!

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